Kieran is a simp, and I’m here for it.

As the people around them broke away in light laughter, switching partners before the music started again, Roma and Juliette both simply stood there, heaving for breath, chests rising and falling, as if they had just engaged in close-contact combat instead of the waltz.

_

Head empty, heart hurt and smashed into a million pieces.

I delved into These Violent Delights with a feeling of complete preparedness for all the stabbing and the yearning (YEARNING!!!). But I was sorely mistaken. I was not prepared.

(Also, I just discovered that my name is mentioned in the acknowledgment pages, so obviously, I’m crying about this, too. But mostly, it’s the ending that has me crying right now at 1:10 AM.)

Highest of recommendations! Full review to follow.

Diversity tags: Tagged for POC representation (Chinese, Korean), LGBTQ+ representation (trans woman, m/m)

Note: I received an e-ARC of These Violent Delights from the author and publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Quoted excerpts are subject to changes in the final copy.

Descendant of the Crane made me abandon all my academic requirements, lose an entire night’s worth of sleep (I finished at around 7:30 in the morning), and had me crying at least thrice.

It certainly delivers on being a Chinese-inspired Game of Thrones, although some scenes made me think that perhaps GoT pales in comparison to this impeccably written debut. I think I just read the best novel to be released in 2019, and 2018 isn’t even over yet.

Full review to come!

* The universe smiled upon me and decided to give me the opportunity to read the manuscript of Descendant of the Crane. Joan, thank you for your generosity!

THAT BRIGHT RED COVER BOTH SCARES AND THRILLS ME. I WANT THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS NOW.

I have already finished reading all 62 chapters, and I’m still not ready for this sequel.

Update: Grieving. No one talk to me. No one touch me.

-

Update (Aug 18, 2021):

ARC of Jade Legacy secured. I am feeling really powerful right now.

Full review to follow, but here are quick thoughts from me:

- Honestly, it took me forever to pick The Reader up because of the extremely mixed responses it's garnered from other readers/reviewers. (Lesson learned: I should have read this sooner!)

- A magic system that's based on the ability to read!

- Much like my experience with The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco, this book demands a lot of patience because there's not a lot of plot and the pacing is quite sluggish.

- Much like my experience with Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa, the story occasionally veers away from the main plot and was interspersed with fun, sideline adventures!

- Archer is definitely my favorite character, although

Spoiler

I am not pleased that towards the end of the book, his mutism is suddenly... 'fixed'. It seemed like a pretty unnecessary thing, imo.

- I like Sefia just fine, but I'm hoping for more of her character development in the succeeding installments.

- There are so many side characters in this story. It can get a bit overwhelming sometimes.

- The story isn't 100% told in a chronological order, which was initially strange. However, I quickly adapted and learned to appreciate the unorthodox sequencing, as well as how some scenes are juxtapositioned.

- Plus, this had layers and layers and layers of stories. Think: stories telling stories telling stories.

- I loved how Sefia and Archer's relationship developed??? I don't know. I'm soft and I ship them hard.

- Pirates!!!

- Beautiful, compelling writing style!!! Lush descriptions!!! I could not stop highlighting passages.

- Extensive world-building!!! Complex, multi-layered story!!! Diverse characters!!!

- Provides an interesting discourse on how people find meaning in their lives simply from being remembered. Plus, provokes thoughts on morality, ethics, and sacrifices!

- Considerably flawed, but ultimately, I did not care at all! The Reader is thought-provoking, exquisitely magical, and wonderfully addictive!